1

University of Technology
Laser and Optoelectronics Engineering Department
Laser Engineering Branch
Power electronics 2011-2012





Experiment No.12
Three-Phase Full wave Controlled Converters
(Controlled rectifier)



Experiment aim

The aim of Experiment is to analyze the operation (Switching) of three phase
controlled and semi-controlled rectifiers with resistive and inductive load.

Apparatus

1. Power electronic trainer.
2. Connection wires.
3. Oscilloscope.

Theory

Phase controlled AC-DC converters employing thyristor are extensively used
for changing constant ac input voltage to controlled dc output voltage. In phase-
controlled rectifiers, a thyristor is tuned off as AC supply voltage reverse biases it,
provided anode current has fallen to level below the holding current.
Controlled rectifiers have a wide range of applications, from small rectifiers to
large high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems. They are used for
electrochemical processes, many kinds of motor drives, traction equipment,
controlled power supplies, and many other applications

Three- phase Full wave controlled rectifier:

Fig(1-a) shows the three-phase bridge rectifier. The configuration does not need
any special transformer, and works as a 6-pulse rectifier. The series characteristic
of this rectifier produces a dc voltage twice the value of the half-wave rectifier .



2

University of Technology
Laser and Optoelectronics Engineering Department
Laser Engineering Branch
Power electronics 2011-2012



















Fig(3-a): Three-phase full-wave rectifier


Fig(3-b): Three-phase sime control rectifier



3

University of Technology
Laser and Optoelectronics Engineering Department
Laser Engineering Branch
Power electronics 2011-2012



The load average voltage is given by:



Fig(2) shows the voltages of each half-wave bridge of this topology
pos
D
and
neg
D

, the total instantaneous dc voltage v
D
, and the anode-to-cathode voltage v
AK
in one
of the bridge thyristors. The maximum value of v
AK
is 3 V
max
, which is the same
as that of the half-wave converter .




























Fig(2)

4

University of Technology
Laser and Optoelectronics Engineering Department
Laser Engineering Branch
Power electronics 2011-2012



Procedure

1. Connect the three-phase full wave controlled rectifier circuit shown in
Fig.(1-a) on the power electronic trainer.
2. Turn on the power
3. By use oscilloscope, plot the input and output waveforms on the same graph
paper" same axis".
4. Measure the average and RMS output voltage by connect the AVO meter
across load resistance.
5. Turn off the power
6. Use an inductive load. With L=100mH measure the output voltage and plot
the output waveform.
7. Repeat step 6 with L=100mH measure the output voltage and plot the output
waveforms.
8. Repeat step 6 & 7 with connect the freewheeling diode across the load.
9. Connect the three-phase bridge half-control rectifier circuit shown in Fig.(1-
b).
10. Repeat steps (2-7).


Discussion and calculations

1. Compare between the practical and theoretical results for input and output
voltages and currents.
2. Design a high voltage power supply for CO
2
laser, when the optical output
power is 12 watt. The current and voltage electronically highly stabilized DC
power unit has a nominal output 70mA and 6kV. Pumping under optimal
conditions (maximum laser output), a current of 20mA at 4 kV is observed.
3. Compare between the three-phase half-wave controlled rectifier and three-
phase full-wave controlled rectifier